So it was promising to be a wild one and sleep was minimal coming off of the premiere but what are you gonna do? Andy Sapp made his grand return to Formula D (last event was 2006 Formula D Atlanta) and did a wonderful job in practice. Just before qualifying he broke a lower control arm (I think!?) and put in a call to Kieran and company. Luckily, a BMW junkyard is located just down the road and they rushed to get the part, Matt uninstalled the broken and put the new one in all while on the hill and got it done just before qualifying!!!! Crazy nonsense I tell you and great thanks to the Drift Mechaniks crew for helping Andy out in a jam.
All of my other topics really stem from Saturday. During the Friday practice however while shooting I picked “Hachi” Bill Sherman as a favorite for podium. Since the Slide America filming he is now under the Enjuku Racing banner (for those not familar with him) which means he has a very solid support team behind him! Bill went on to make the top 8 until falling short to Rhys Millen in a questionable race! He got the one more time and the fans roared into boo’s as Millen was advanced on.
“Hachi” Bill rippin it up in the Enjuku Racing 240sx.
Here is a shot of the booth with Skills and Magic Jim from Chicago holding down the fort.
Here is a snap courtsey of Jay Canter/Urbanracer…I somehow forgot to snap up some shots of Struka’s 240sx of wonder!!!!!!! *bows* You have to love the flat black/pinstriping. Very 50’s JDM if you will…..
Since it was a hometown event I had some special guests with me as well!!!!!! Lauri and her fiance Shane came to visit and after it got to dark to shoot I snuck up with them to have some fun. They had a blast and it was their first drifting event.
It’s hard to pick out a few people to chat about during the top 16 runs but I had to focus in on two guys. First let’s talk about the Irish phenom. Darren Mcnamara. After D1 Vs. USA in December so many guys were stoked out on him but I hadn’t quite seen him in action to really be in aww of his raw talent. In Long Beach he didn’t stand out quite that much to me but in Atlanta he was ripping up the course!!!!! I loved every minute of his runs and the heart he really put into the event. In fact, Gary over at CK Media/ Formula D podcast did a fantastic interview with him over the weekend that was broadcast live, tons of peopel from Ireland tuned in. He took podium and almost gave Falken back/back victories to start the season. Maybe it was the fact that he brought his Mom to the event??? Who knows, but I am looking for Darren to run people down in Summit Point which is around the corner.
Darren and DA member Ryan “Hampshaa” Tureck doing battle in the main event.
Aside from Darren the man of the hour was by far Chris Forsberg. I think a ton of drivers really saw the green light for the weekend when Sam Hubinette and Team Mopar suffered car troubles and were unable to even make qualifying for the event. Sam has been a dominating force at Road Atlanta since the first event in 2004. The man of the hour was Chris in the Drift Alliance/Maxxis Tires 350z! He really seemed to get all the kinks out of the car from last season and has put in the wrench time on the car! I visited LS Automotive in early March and they were really going the extra mile with getting the car ready to roll. Chris couldn’t be stopped and ended up taking home top honors…Here is a neat fact, last year we broke a record with 3 imports taking home vicitores in 2006 (Tanner Foust in Atlanta, Okubo in Seattle, Daijiro in Irwindale), the first two events of the season have both been imports, can we set a new record for a 3rd year in a row?? Summit Point is like right around the corner, see everyone then.
Congrats Chris and keep it up for the season!
